A positive charge Q is placed at the origin. Four other positive charges are pla

Question

A positive charge Q is placed at the origin. Four other positive charges are placed on a circle in the x-y plane centered on Q as shown. The top charge is located on the y axis and has a magnitude of 3q. The three bottom charges are symmetric about the y axis as shown and each has magnitude q.

1)Which of the following statements best describes FX, the x component of the net force on the charge at the origin

a)FX > 0

b)FX = 0

c)FX < 0

2)Explain your reasoning:

3)For the collection of charges shown in the above problem, which of the following statements best describes FY, the y component of the net force on the charge at the origin

a)FY > 0

b)FY = 0

c)FY < 0

4)Explain your reasoning:

Explanation / Answer

given the charges are distributed in the symmitrical fashion

x component of net force on charge at the center of the circle will be 0

that is Fx = 0

because the x component of 3q charge and the middle of the three charges below the center charge will be 0, also the x component of the charges not in y axis cancels each other so x component of net force will be 0

y component of net force on charge at the center of the circle will be > 0

that is Fy < 0

because the y component of 3q charge and the middle of the three charges below the center charge will oppose each other and net force will be toward -ve y axis, also the y component of the charges not in y axis cancels adds to other but their y component will be less than the force caused by charge 2q thus force due to bottom three charges will be less then the force due to 3q charge thus force will be toward negative y axis

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.